A bitter fight over land, power, and alleged municipal manipulation has erupted in Malamulele, Limpopo, as a young property developer's dream of building the first major mall in the area has been stalled. Yinhla Maluleke, a 30-year-old property developer, through his company Yinhla Property Development, purchased portions of land in a newly promulgated township and business district area in November 2024.
Maluleke secured a land sale agreement from the Collins Chabane municipality, and the property was appropriately zoned as Business 1. The municipality subsequently issued a zoning certificate under the Collins Chabane land use management scheme, granting Maluleke approval to develop shops and restaurants in a shopping mall. A site development plan was submitted to the council, and regulatory approvals were granted by November 2025.
However, Maluleke's development was brought to a halt when an individual, Jan Nkuna, alleged to be the brother of Masingita Group owner and property mogul Mike Nkuna, brought an interdict claiming the land belongs to him. Maluleke's affidavit to the court explains that this litigation meant he could not register the transfer of the property, preventing him from taking control of the land, unlocking bank funding, or proceeding with construction.
Maluleke believes the court action was a deliberate stunt to squeeze him out of a municipal opportunity by a better-connected and influential player. He expressed disappointment that the municipality appears to be standing in the way of its own project, the Malamulele Business Park, which has had significant public money invested in roads and other infrastructure.
The situation took a turn when Maluleke discovered that his idea had not just been stifled but allegedly repackaged and pursued just one kilometer from his initial site. During a bid to engage his proposed tenants, Maluleke found that some had terminated their leases, citing that he could not give them beneficial occupation on time.
Maluleke found out that Mike Nkuna had approached the tenants about another Malamulele mall, using the same name. Maluleke has invested approximately R4m in pre-development costs, funded by friends, family, and other investors. If the development collapses, that money will be lost.
The land, according to municipal records and sources, had been designated for a school, not a business development. However, a rezoning certificate was allegedly issued without the transparent public process normally required. Maluleke lodged an urgent interdict to have the rezoning certificate reviewed, but his application was dismissed and struck off the roll without the merits of the case being looked at.
Key points
- The dispute involves allegations of municipal manipulation and favouritism towards competing interests.
- A rival development, allegedly backed by property mogul Mike Nkuna, has emerged just a kilometer from Maluleke's initial site.
- The stalled project has significant implications for the local economy and the people of Malamulele.
